RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MoIA) and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) signed a cooperation agreement for the development and preservation of historical Islamic sites, mosques and endowment buildings across the Kingdom.

An SCTNH spokesman said on Thursday that the agreement was signed by Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Saleh Al-Sheikh and Prince Sultan bin Salman, the tourism commission chief, here at the headquarters recently.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister applauded the efforts made by the SCTNH in the restoration and preservation of Islamic history and related heritage in the Kingdom.

“Personally, and on behalf of my colleagues in the MoIA, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the SCTNH toward promoting and developing the mosques, which embody all elements of strength of the Kingdom.”

Commenting on the agreement Prince Sultan said, “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has instructed us to unite our efforts for the care and preservation of historic mosques and the roadside station mosques, and promote their status to strengthen the social role of the mosques.”

“Mosques play an important role in strengthening the ties among citizens as well as enhancing their unity,” he noted.

“We strive for Kingdom to be the destination of all Muslims as we are the home of the Two Holy Mosques and the cradle of the Islam,” he added.

He noted that “we look forward that all citizens consider themselves as responsible for mosques maintenance as they are not public buildings but Houses of God, which makes it obligatory for each one of us to take care of.”

On the level of hygiene in certain roadside station mosques he said, “I reiterate that coordination efforts between the SCTNH and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs are ongoing to regularly monitor mosques at roadside stations and to enforce strict penalties against roadside stations for poor services.”

He, however, pointed out that before enforcing such regulations they usually begin their approach in coordinating with roadside station officials to encourage them to promote their services.

Moreover, Prince Sultan commended the role of the MoIA for preservation of historic mosques and endowment buildings at the heritage sites, and enhancing the performance of mosque imams who carry a great responsibility on their shoulders.

Notably, the SCTNH and the Roadside’s Mosques Charity Association (Masajedna) recently signed a cooperation agreement for the maintenance of roadside mosques across the Kingdom and will jointly launch a media campaign in collaboration with the MoMRA highlighting the importance of caring for and preserving mosques.